Ad Disclosure
Georgia DC explains what makes Michigan’s run game so dynamic
Published:
Georgia’s defense is going to have its hands full attempting to slow down a potent Michigan rushing attack. The Wolverines have been outstanding on the ground all season long, thanks to great play from the offensive line and running backs Blake Corum and Hassan Haskins.
That rushing attack — which ranks 10th nationally — has been a nightmare for even the best defensive teams Michigan has faced in the 2021 season. The Wolverines averaged 223.9 yards per game. Haskins ended the year with 1,288 yards and Corum added 939.
Speaking with reporters on Monday, Georgia defensive coordinator Dan Lanning talked about what makes the Michigan rushing attack so difficult to defend.
“Their whole backfield, those guys are extremely physical,” Lanning said, per Angelique Chengelis of The Detroit News. “They run tough. We’ve shown a lot of film of these guys breaking tackles. They run hard. Very rarely are they running to avoid contact. They’re running to create contact.”
Georgia DC Dan Lanning on UM run game: "Their whole backfield, those guys are extremely physical. They run tough. We’ve shown a lot of film of these guys breaking tackles. They run hard. Very rarely are they running to avoid contact. They’re running to create contact."
— angelique (@chengelis) December 27, 2021
Michigan has never steered away from its ground-and-pound approach offensively. The development of quarterback Cade McNamara and the occasional wrinkle from Josh Gattis has made this team incredibly difficult to defend.
It’s a big reason why Georgia may have trouble with Jim Harbaugh’s squad.
The Wolverines are making their first College Football Playoff appearance in this year’s Orange Bowl. It will be the second time the Bulldogs have made the field.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB